In this paper, we propose two metrics capable of modeling forms of polarity contrast: polarity divergence and polarity dimorphism. To explore their potential usefulness to the detection of verbal irony and sentiment polarity, we performed an exploratory text analysis on a corpus of figurative tweets annotated by sentiment. The results of a text analysis show that, employing two different types ...

How do we understand the experiences of characters in a movie? Similar to real life, viewers attribute mental states through process known as Theory Mind (ToM). Filmmakers commonly use Dramatic Irony, narrative device where audience knows something that at least one does not. From social neuroscience perspective, understanding cognitive mechanisms underlie dramatic irony can provide remarkable ...

We investigated children's understanding of irony and sensitivity to irony's meanness and humor. In Study 1, 89 participants (5-6-year-olds, 8-9-year-olds, adults) heard ironic and literal criticisms, and literal compliments. Comprehension of irony emerged between 5 and 6 years of age. Ratings of humor increased with age; ratings of meanness did not (showing that all ages perceived irony as mor...

Difficulties in understanding irony and sarcasm are part of the social cognition deficits in patients with schizophrenia. A number of studies have reported higher error rates during comprehension in patients with schizophrenia. However, the relationships of these impairments to schizotypal personality traits and other language deficits, such as the comprehension of proverbs, are unclear. We inv...

Jean-Martin Charcot is considered the father of modern neurology and was the first neurologist to hold a professorship of international stature devoted to the study of the diseases of the nervous system. His biographers paint an image of an austere presence, reserved manner, shyness, economy of gestures and an impenetrable, impassive face. However, a wry and sarcastic side of Charcot can be dem...

Irony is an effective but challenging mode of communication that allows a speaker to express sentiment-rich viewpoints with concision, sharpness and humour. Irony is especially common in online documents that express subjective and deeply-felt opinions, and thus represents a significant obstacle to the accurate analysis of sentiment in web texts. In this paper we look at one commonly used frami...